Education Experience Doesn't Matter?

Once again Gov. Dannel P. Malloy attacks public education, this time by vetoing a bill passed by the legislature establishing experience requirements for the position of education commissioner. In taking this action, he he foolishly concludes that the commissioner of education does not have to have any teaching experience or administration background in public education, and doesn't even have to have an education certification.

This decision lacks good common sense. But even more outlandish is the editorial supporting the governor on this issue, "Uphold Veto" [July 9]. Let me remind Gov. Malloy and the editorial staff at The Courant that HB 6977 had bipartisan support, having passed the Senate 36-0 and the House of Representatives 138-55.

Now the House and the Senate will have the opportunity to override the veto and to tell the governor that you just can't pick someone out of a hat who doesn't have any experience for a position as important as commissioner of education.

In Connecticut we already have gone through that. Did we so quickly forget about the previous education commissioner, Stefan Pryor? I hope not.